I can’t believe we’re almost to the end of the year. I feel like it’s raced by, but that could be partly due to the fact that I’ve spent much of 2015 writing a book for Focal Press. Although I’ve written and self published a number of eBooks, a print book is such a different beast, and with so many more people and steps involved over the course of the year. 

 

It’s been a ton of work, often way more than I bargained for, but I’m so excited to report that I’m in the final approval stage for my very first book. I even have a released date and a final cover, and as my newsletter subscriber, you’re the very first one to see it. 

 

I’ve been waiting to get the ok from my editor, and now I’m proud to announce that Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography will be released on May 5. I can’t tell you what a huge milestone this is for me. Writing a real printed book has long been a dream for me, and in a few months, it will become a published reality. 

 

 

I can’t wait for you to see this book. It’s slated to be 312 pages, and I can tell you right now, there’s a ton of information in it; about 60,000 words worth.. It’s not just a bunch of pictures, it’s jam packed with rock solid advice and insight that’s designed to help you become a better, more efficient, more creative and more productive shooter. It’s by far the most comprehensive manual on photography that I’ve ever written. I even included a section on going pro. 

 

The really cool thing is that you can already preorder the book on Amazon. Not only does this ensure you’ll get it as soon as it’s released, (it actually could be sooner than May) it locks in the price with a guarantee if the price happens to change for some reason before then. Check it out and please let me know if you have any questions about the book or what type of info is included.

 

 

I know that summer 2015 seems like its a long way off, but I just wanted to throw this out there because I know that planning a trip to Alaska takes time. I’m putting together my 2015 photo workshop schedule, and there is one trip that I wanted to let you know about now.

 

The first one is something I’ve wanted to do for awhile, and I’m finally moving forward on it. The idea is a 7 day backcountry adventure photography workshop in Denali National Park. This will be a true adventure trip in every sense of the word. Picture this: We’ll be dropped off by bush plane and thens spend 5 glorious summer days of guided backpacking and shooting in an incredibly remote and pristine area that few people ever get to see.

 

We’ll have countless opportunities to shoot some of the most amazing, rugged mountain landscapes and glaciers you can imagine, with the added safety and logistics of a professional mountain guide from one of Alaska’s most accomplished guiding services. We’ll be in a small group, so you’ll have extensive one-on-one instruction with me. 

 

Also, we’ll have plenty of time to set up action scenarios so that we can practice shooting adventure type images and not just landscapes. Although it will be moderately strenuous, this trip is totally doable for anyone who is a relatively experienced backpacker. Our relative elevation will be low, and so will our mileage. The idea is that you won’t have to be a total badass, but the location and scenery will make you feel like you're one! 

 

I’m still finalizing the details of this trip, but you’ll be the first one to now about it when the workshop is published. This will be a very exclusive trip, and again, as one of my subscribers, you’ll have first crack at it! Stay tuned and let me know if this is something that interest you.

 

 

Creative block happens to everyone. Writers even have a special name for it. Photographer’s block doesn’t quite have the same ring, but it’s pretty much the same thing. Sometimes, our own expectations for perfection clog up the pipeline, while other times it’s because we’re so distracted in life that we can’t focus.

 

Regardless of the reasons, it’s no fun to be in a rut. Here are three simple ways to overcome your own creative block and jump start the flow of awesome, inspiring images.

 

 

1. Change Your Environment: Getting away from your regular path can make a huge difference because sometimes it's difficult to come up with new ideas when you're following the same routines. Bust out. Take a trip. Hike a new trail. Hell, walk a different route to the store. That alone will expose your eyes and brain to new sights, sounds and other sensory input. Usually that's enough spark to fire up the old creative engine again.

 

2. Use a Different Tool: Try using a new piece of gear. A less familiar set of buttons, dials and optics will surely stretch your brain and ignite something new. Try shooting with a different camera. Dig out that thing that's been living in your camera bag for years that you rarely use.

 

3. Use Limitations or Rules: It's been shown that many of our creative blocks in today's life are due to our endless excess of choices. We simply have too many options. Try applying limitations or rules to your methods. Leave the house with only one body and lens, or maybe just a compact camera. Say "I'm only going to shoot wide angle shots today, I'm going to focus on closeups or only do [insert your rule here] when I shoot this afternoon."

 

 

Nikon, Canon and Fuji all have some really good rebates right now. Nikon’s current buy together and save deals let you save up to $800 when you pair lenses with the D610, and up to $600 when you choose the hot new D750 or the D7100. The D750 is the camera that D700 shooters have been eagerly waiting for, and from everything I’ve seen, it delivers the same type of performance, weight and value that the venerable D700 had. Check out these deals at B&H Photo and Amazon.

 

 

Canon’s current DLSR and lens bundles include savings up to $750 when you pair glass with the EOS 7D, and $450 when you choose the 70D, 6D or the 60D. There are a lot of really solid combinations here, so if you’re looking to upgrade your Canon gear, check out these savings at B&H Photo.

 

 

Fuji has a number of their XF lenses on sale right now, including the amazingly sharp bokeh machine, the 56mm f/1.2, the 23mm f/1.4, the 10-24mm f/4 wide angle zoom, the 35mm f/1.4, the 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8, and my favorite, the 14mm f/2.8 compact wide angle prime. 

 

In addition, you can preorder the upcoming 50-140mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom. I got the chance to try this lens out at PhotoPlus, and I’ll tell you right now, this lens rocks. This is the fast tele zoom that Fuji X shooters have been waiting for. It’s incredibly sharp, it has a removable tripod collar, and although it’s not tiny, it’s way lighter than any DSRL f/2.8 tele zoom that I’ve ever seen. It's the lens I've been waiting for ever since I started shooting with Fuji gear. If you shoot sports, action or adventure, this will be your bread and butter lens.

 

 

In my mind, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/S SD memory cards are the number one card for performance and value. They’re fast enough to keep up with today’s high tech cameras which produce large RAW files, and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. I use them in my Fuji X-T1 and I’d highly recommend them in just about any new camera, especially if you’re shooting action.

 

 

Last year, I released Behind The Action – Creating Adventure Imagery, Step By Step. It’s a hands-on how-to manual that lays out the exacts step and gear I used to create 12 specific adventure and outdoor type images. Essentially, it takes the reader along with me on a number of shoots and lets then look over my shoulder as I scout the location, gauge the light, choose my equipment, come up with an approach and execute the final image. I even show you a number of outtakes so that you can see how the final shot eventually came about.

 

Behind the Action is the closest thing you’ll ever get to actually being there on a shoot with me and watching how I get my imagery. It’s a great way to learn, and right now, I’ll give you a very special price on the book. 

 

Normal full price on this book is $24.95, but I really want you to have this ebook, because I know it can help you make better images, so I’ll offer it to you for a special price of only $16.95. This is a limited time deal, so don’t wait. You can see more info about the book here.

 

 

It’s so important to have a backup strategy for your photograph, and this post by David duChemin is one of my favorite on the subject. He offers a very workable and straightforward solution for backing up your work, using an awesome little program called Super Duper. I use this program too. Anyway, check out what David says in his post Back it Up!

 

Often times, we shoot amazing landscapes, only to be disappointed with the actual images when we get home. This is a common issue with many photographers, and Michigan nature shooter Mark Graf has his own take on why this happens and how to avoid it. Read his short but insightful post called You Can’t Photograph Nature.

 

Shooting a Commercial Image with Trash and Walmart Gear. This great post shows you that you don’t need super expensive gear or a high rent studio space to create good imagery. The author shot a very professional looking photo using tools that include a bed sheet, a piece of plywood, an old sweatshirt, a pair of pants and a pillow. After reading this, you’d better not have any more excuses! 

 

What if the problem is that you suck? What a great post! Awesome and in-depth insight on how to negate the negative feelings that we can all have about why we don’t shoot better imagery, why our portfolio doesn’t look as good we want it to, why we don’t get as many clients as we think we should… and so forth. It’s geared towards people who either are, or want to be professional photographers, but anyone can get something out of this article, so read it!

 

Thoughts on Image Value and Effort. Does more effort make for better imagery? If so (or not), is this a hard and fast rule? Does, or should effort have anything to do with the perceived value or “greatness” of an image? This is a very good question that’s been asked by Utah photographer Bret Edge, and it’s worth exploring, both in his article and in your own mind when you think about the photographs that you take.

 

 

 

That’s all for now, thanks again for reading! I hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving, whether you’re sitting at a table with family or crouched next to a campfire with friends. (Between you and me, I prefer Thanksgiving outside.) As always, I wish you the the best fortune with your photography during the coming month, and please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or comments. 

 

Take care and don’t forget to share!

 

Dan